Getting fired is stressful enough without also having to deal with the illegal behavior of your employer resulting in your wrongful termination. Both federal and state law protects your rights as an employee from being wrongfully terminated, and our Chillicothe, Ohio, wrongful termination lawyers can help – contact us today to schedule a free consultation to find out more.
Sometimes employers will explain why they are terminating you; if, for example, they claim that it was due to poor performance or tardiness, that is a termination that is “for cause,” but not always. Many, if not most, employment arrangements are at-will employment, meaning that your employer can fire you for any reason; as long as that reason is legal; and no notice is required to be provided to the employee ahead of time.
However, some examples of illegal or wrongful termination include the following:
One of the first pieces of evidence you will examine with your attorney’s assistance to figure out whether any internal policies have been violated will be your employee handbook and, if relevant, any employment contracts that came with it which were specific to your employment conditions. You and your attorney will also need to look through your employee file, including any performance reviews.
It is critical to describe any and all events that occurred surrounding your termination in order to allow for your attorney to assess whether there could be an illegal reason involved; for example, if, immediately prior to being terminated, you informed your employer that you would be taking medical leave, or you complained about conduct that was illegal or unsafe, or you feel that there was any other suspicious connection to the termination, you should speak with a labor and employment lawyer right away.
Regardless, if you have an employment contract, it is important to show this to your attorney, as there could be provisions in it that make your termination technically a breach of contract (such as if your employment was supposed to last for a minimum amount of time and did not).
The state of Ohio requires employers to issue an employee’s final paycheck on the next regular payday or within 15 days of the date of termination, whichever comes earlier. It is also possible that, at the time of termination, your HR department or supervisor will want you to sign a separation agreement, which could include severance payment provisions. Before you sign any such agreement, it is critical to review it with your attorney, as these agreements typically involve you releasing any potential claims that could have otherwise been brought at a later date.
Marshall, Forman & Schlein is here for you: Our Chillicothe, Ohio, Wrongful Termination Lawyers know that every case and circumstance is different, and we want to hear the full story from you so that we can determine the best strategy for your case. Contact our office today to schedule a free consultation for legal advice; we serve clients throughout Chillicothe and Columbus, Ohio.
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